Carton-end-closing device for packaging machines



J. D. LANE fmmz tor Criminal Filed larch 17. 1925 @IWU April 12 1927.

CARTON END CLOSING DEVICE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Patented Apr. 12,1927.

UNITED STATES 1,624,257 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. LANE, OI CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAB'I'ON-END-CLOSING DEVICE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES.

Application filed larch 17, 1925, Serial No. 16,155. Renewed July 7, 1828.

This invention relates to a packaging machine adapted to act on a carton having major side walls, an extension on one ma or wall forming an end wall and a tucking flap, and minor side walls having end tabs, said machine including an intermittently movin carrier adapted to convey, in a predetermined path, a carton which is opened to relatively position its walls, but is 'not closed at its ends, and carton-forcing means adapted to move the carton endwise toward the carrier.

A type of packaging machine to which my invention is applicable. is disclosed by atent to Lane and Macnaughtan, No. 1,439,966, dated December 26, 1922.

The invention is embodied in an improved device adapted-to cooperate with the carrier and carton-forcing means of a machine of the type above mentioned, in successively turning inward the end tabs of the minor walls, to their operative positions, and in subsequently turning the extension to convert it into an end wall and a tucked flap, the organization bein such that an end of the carton is accurate y and securely closed, and liability of inaccurate or imperfect closing is revented.

Of t e accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side view, showing an element of a carton end-closing device in which the invention may be embodied, and a carton engaged therewith, one of the end tabs being turned inward.

F1 re 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing both end tabs turned inward.

Figure 3 is. a top view of the element shown by Figure 1.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views, showing difierent portions of the spiralfaced member hereinafter described, and portions of a carton acted on thereby.

Figure 7* shows in section a completely closed end.

Figure 8 is a view showing in section, portions of the machine, and in elevation, another element of the end-closing device in which the invention mav be embodied. the oscillatory presser hereinafter described being retracted.

Fi re 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showmg the presser projected.

Figure 10 shows the presser in section on a larger scale.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the holding-down stop shown by Figures 8 and 9. i

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevation, showing a portion of a packaging machine which includes an endless carrier.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing carton-forcing means engaged with a carton.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures;

A packaging machine such as that shown by the before-mentioned patent, to which I refer for the purpose of explaining my inventi on, and not in a limiting sense, includes a base portion or bed 12 (Figure 10), a carher, which is a sprocket-chain 13, driven intermittently, and having carton-en aging means, and a reciprocating cartonorcin member 14, adapted to bear on a major wall a of the carton, as shown by Figure 13, and move the carton endwise toward the car rier. The forcing member 14, in this instance, is fixed to a vertically reciprocating slide 15, constituting an element of the carton-opening means shown by said patent.

It is unnecessary to furtherdescribe the machine as a whole, because my invention hereinafter described resides only in the device which coo erates with the carrier and the carton-forcing member, to close an end of a carton which has been opened and enga ed with the carrier as heretofore.

aid device is adapted to turn inward one of the lower end tabs 0 of the carton. when the latter is moved endwise by the forcing member, and the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward the other lower end tab'c, when the carrier next moves.

The device comprises a fixed track, located adjacent to the carrier and including a primary section 17, having an inclined portion 18, which turns inward one of the end tabs 0, as shown by Figure 1, when the carton is moved endwise toward the carrier by the forcing member 14, and a secondary section 19, separated from the primary section by a slot 20. The other end tab 0 is at the samejime forced into the slot 20.

VVhen t-he carrier again moves, the end of the secondary section 19, forming one ed e of the slot 20, encounters the last-mentioned tab and turns the same inward, as shown by Figure 2. After the tabs 0 have been thus successively turned inward, the extension on the lower end of one of the major walls a is turned by converting meansoonstituh the extension, 'across'the strokin ing an element of the closing device. Said extension includes an end wall portion d, and a tucking flap d, which are in the same plane as one of the major sides a, before the action of the converting means whereby the portions (1, d are moved in their closed positions, so that the end wall portion 03 extends across the lower end of the carton, and the flap portion d is tucked between the turned end tabs 0 and one'of the major sides a.

The converting means here shown .includes two elements, one of which is fixed, and has a spiral face, while the other element includes an oscillatory presser and means for oscillating it. The fixed element is an elongated member 24, fixed to the frame in osition to act on the carton extension, w en the carrier moves the carton to the left from the position shown by Figure 1. The'member 24 has a spiral face 26, which has various inclinations in its cross section, as shown by Figures 4 to 7, inclusive.

The movement of the carton by the carrier from the position shown by Figure 2, first causes the turning of only the flap portion d by the face 26, as indicated by Figures 4 and 5, the inner portion 41 remaining vertical.

As the movement of the carton continues, the portion (1 is also turned, as indicated by Figures 6 and 7, until the flap portion d is tucked to a considerable extent between the end tabs 0 and one of the major walls a, as shown by Figure 7.

Although a fixed extension-turning member having a spiral face is not new, and is shown by the above-mentioned and other atents, the member 24 is distinguished rom those previously used by an elongated stroking face 28, which is flat and horizontal, instead of spiral, in' cross section, and encounters thecarton extension when the latter is in the condition shown by Figure 6.

The movement of the wall portion (1 of face 28, causes an additional turning of t e extension to, or approximately to the position shown .by Figure 7. I prefer forreasons hereinafter appearing, to so form the member 24 and its stroking face 28, that the extension is left by said face in an incompletely converted position, althou h it is possible, when the carton is made 0 certaln grades of paper, to causevthe complete conversion of the extension by the member 24 having the face 28. Assuming that the carton is left by the member 24 in the condition shown by Figure 7, the conversion of the extension is completed by the ele-' ment next described.

Said element is shown by Figures 8, 9 and 10, and includes an oscillatory presser 30, and operating mechanism for moving mama-r the same from the position shown by ure 8, to that shown by Figure 9. Said operating mechanism includes a shoe 31, to which one end of the presser is fixed. The

The presser is held by the operating mechanism in the sition shown by Figure 8, until after t e end tabs 0 have been turned 1n, and is then moved to the position shown by Figure 9, and thus caused tocomlete the conversion of the extension which is now in the condition shown by Figure 7'.

This element of the closing device may be used under some conditions to convert the extension independently of the fixed element 24, the latter being omitted. I prefer, however, to employ the two elements con-jointly, the presser 30 being arranged to act on the carton extension, when the latter is in the condition shown by Figure 7.

To prevent the upward displacement of the carton by the presser, when the latter swings upward, I provide a holding-down stop, whichincludes a bracket 40, secured to an upright 41, connected with a fixed standard 42, attached to the bed 12. The bracket 40 is provided with hooked stop members 43 (Figure 11), adapted to bear on the upper edge of the major wall a, on which the extension is formed.' The members 43 are preferably adjustable toward and from each other, and the bracket 40 is preferably adjustable vertically on the upright 41, so that the holding-down stop is adjustable to'cartons of different widths and lengths. As shown by Fi re 11, the hooked members 43 are'secure to the bracket 40 by screws 45, passing through a horizontal slot 46, in

the bracket. The upright 41 is provided with a vertical slot 47, receiving a clamping screw or bolt 48, engaged with the bracket.

As best shown by Figure 10, theresser 30 includes a body port-ion,'fixed to t e shoe 31, and a top portion composed of a plate 49, hinged at 50 to the body rtion and normally raised therefrom an ylieldingly supported by a spring 31. When e presser ill tons are in transit to the machine. Owing to this imperfect condition the tab turned inward by the incline 18, is liable to be afterward reversed, or turned outward by contact with the track, when the latter has a second oppositely inclined tab-turning portion, both tabs bein turned inward at once, as shown by the ane and Macnaughtan patent.

I find that by omitting the second inclined tab-turning portion, and making the track in two sections including the primary section 17, having the inclined portion 18 at one end, and the secondary section 19, having its inner end separated from the primary section, by a narrow slot 20, said end being flush with the primary section, and adapted to turn a tab 0 when the carrier moves, all liability of reversing the direction of the first-mentioned tab, while the carton is being moved by the carrier, is prevented.

It has been found that duringthe final closing of the carton, difiiculty is experienced in tucking in the flap d when, as often happens, the flap is somewhat larger than the standard or desired size, so that the degree of pressure required to tuck in the flap, would cause an upward movement or displacement of the carton, unless such movement were prevented by the holdingdown stop or resser-foot shown by Figures 8, 9 and 11. The presser-foot causes the carton to remain in place under any upward pressure exerted on it by the flap, during the tucking operation. c

When the carton is what is known as a locked-flap carton requiring a maximum pressure to force the flap to place, it has been found that when the spiral face is not supplemented by the fiat face 28, the movement of the fia alon the spiral face 26, is retarded, an the ap is crowded back endwise by its frictional contact with the spiral face, and thus warped or distorted, so that its rear end is caused to interfere with, and be crushed against the minor wall I) at the rear or following edge of the carton, when the final closing pressure is exerted on the flap. To prevent this, isithe object of the flat face 28, supplementing the spiral face 26. The flat face corrects or obliterates the distortion of the flap, and so disposes it that when the final closing pressure is exerted, the flap is properly tucked to place.

I claim:

1. In a packaging machine adapted 'to act on a carton having major walls, an extension on one major wall forming an end wall and a tuckin flap, and minor walls having end tabs, said machine, including an intermitently moving carrier adapted to convey an opened carton edgewise in a predetermined path, and carton-forcing means, adapted to move the carton endwise toward oppos said carrier; a can end-closin device adapted to turn inward one of the ower en tabs, when the carton is moved endwise and the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward the ate end tab when the carrier moves, said device comprising a fixed track includmg a primary section, having an inclined portion which turns inward one of the end tabs, when the carton is anoved endwise, and a secondary section separated from the primary section by a slot llltOWVhlCh the other and tab is forced b the endwise movement of the carton, sai secondary section turning inward the last-mentioned tab when the carrier moves, and converting means actin after the successive turning of the end ta s, to convert the extension into an end wall and a tucked flap.

2 In a packaging machine adapted to act on a carton having ma'or walls, an extension on one major wall orming an end wall and a tucking flap, and minor walls having end tabs, said machine, includin an intermittently moving carrier adapted to convey an opened carton edgewise m a predetermined path, and carton-forcing means, ada ted to move the carton endwise toward sai carrier, a carton end-closing device, adapted to turn inward one of the lower end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise and the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward the opposite end tab when the carrier moves, said device comprising a fixed track including a primary section, having an inclined portitm which turns inward one of the end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise, and a secondary section separated from the primary section by a slot into which the other end tab is forced by the endwise movement of the carton, said secondary section turning inward the last-mentioned tab when the carrier moves, and extension-turning means including a fixed member having a spiral face caused by a movement of the carrier to turn the extension toward its wall and flap-forming osition, said member having at one end o its 8 iral face a stroking face, adapted to additionally turn the extension toward said position.

3. In a packaging machine adapted to act on a carton having major walls, an extension on one major wall forming an end wall and a tucking flap, and minor walls having end tabs, said machine, including an intermittently moving carrier adapted to convey an opened carbon edgewise In a predetermined path, and carton-forcing means, adapted to move the carton endwise toward said carrier; a carton end-closing device, adapted to turn inward one of the lower end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise and the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward the opposite and tab when the carrier moves, said device comprising a includ ing a primary section, having an inclined portion which turns inward one of the end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise, and

a secondary section separated from the rimary section by a slot into which the ot er end tab is forced by the endwise movement of the carton, said secondary section turning inward the last-mentioned tab when the carrier moves, and extension-turning means including a fixed member having a spiral face caused by a movement of the carrier to turn the extension toward its wall and flap-forming position, said member having, at one end of its spiral face, a stroking face adapted to additionally turn the extension toward said position, an oscillatory presser arranged. to act on the turned extension to complete its conversion into an end wall and tucked flap,- and mechanismfor oscillating the presser to hold it alternately out of contact with the extension during the turning thereof by the fixed member, and into con tact with the extension to complete the turning and tucking thereof.

4. In a packaging machine adapted to act on a carton havingma-jor walls, an extension on one major wall forming an end wall and a tucking flap, and minor walls having end tabs, said machine, including an intermittently moving carrier adapted to convey an opened carton edgewise in a predetermined path, and carton-forcing means, adapted to move the carton endwise toward said carrier; a carton end-closing device, adapted to turn inward one of the lower end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise and the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward the opposite end tab when the carrier moves, said device comprising a fixed track including a primary section, having an inclined portion which turns inward one of the end tabs, when the carton is moved endwise, and a secondary section separated from the priof the carton, said'seoondary section turn:

ing inward the last-mentioned tab when the carrier moves, and extension-turning means operable when'the carrier is at rest to turn .the extension to its end wall and flap-forming position, said means including an oscillatory presser arranged'to act on the extension after the turnin of the end tabs, operating mechanism or oscillating the extension to hold it alternately out of contact with the extension and in pressing contact therewith,'and a holding-down stop arranged to prevent endwise movement of the carton by the presser.

5. A carton end-closing device as specified byclaim 4, said presser including a body portion positively moved by the operating mechanism, and a yielding top plate bearing yieldingly on the extension until the presser reaches its final pressing position.

6. A carton end-closing device as specified by claim 4, said holding-down stop ing means whereby it may be ad usted to cartons of different widths and lengths.

7. In a carton end-closing device, a presser including a body portion, a top plate pivoted at one end to the body portion, and a sprin interposed between the body rtion and the top plate and adapted to yie dingly support the top plate above the body portion.

8. In a packaging machine including an intermittently moving carrier, a carton endclosing device adapted to turn inward an end. tab of a carton when the carrier is at rest, and to turn inward another end tab when the carrier moves.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

JOHN D. LANE.

includ- 

